Tiger spotted in Tekulapalli forests in Kothagudem, villagers alerted

It was the first instance in Kothagudem district wherein a recorded evidence of tiger's presence came into public domain, though the forest officials caught tiger movements in camera traps many times recently and in the past.

Kothagudem: A team of forest personnel and tractor drivers have recorded movements of a tiger  in Tekulapalli forest range in the district on Saturday.

It was the first instance in Kothagudem district wherein a recorded evidence of tiger’s presence came into public domain, though the forest officials caught tiger movements in camera traps many times recently and in the past.

Assistant Conservator of Forests, Kothagudem, A Appaiah told Telangana Today that the big cat was spotted by forest rangers on patrolling duty near Jangalapalli forest camp in Tekulapalli forest range during wee hours.

The staff and local tractor drivers recorded the tiger crossing a road in the forest on their smartphones. The tiger pug marks were found on the sand in a stream in the forests. The residents in the fringe villages were told to be alert and not to venture into the forests, he said.

The villagers were also told to light fire at cattle sheds and keep the lights switched on to keep the tiger away. In case the tiger kills cattle a proper compensation would be paid to the cattle owners, Appaiah said.

“All measures were being taken to avoid any trouble to the tiger from people, and vice versa. The villagers were asked to inform the forest department if they found any unknown persons moving in their villages and forests” the official added.

It might be noted that on Wednesday the tiger pug marks were found in the forests in Kinnerasani division and at Mallepallitogu hamlet the next day. It killed a cow at Tokabandhala village on the banks of Kinnerasani stream on Friday.

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